This examination of collection development and bibliographic control in the small public library (small staff and modest resources) is concerned with three categories of library materials that can be identified as serials: (1) magazines; (2) reference books; (3) books in series that can circulate separately. (10 references) (EJS)

Stressing importance of insurance coverage for the buildings and contents of libraries, this article covers insurance history, the modern insurance industry, examples of loss experiences, prevention and preparedness, risk management, appraisals and valuations of property, insurance options, and lack of recognition of protective and preventive…

Discusses results of mail survey eliciting 180 responses from libraries concerning reference use of online databases. Reference database users profile, activity levels and online use, acceptance by librarians of online ready reference searching, administrative considerations, print materials and online availability, and ready reference questions…

This essay characterizes role of the librarian as using a variety of skills (intellectual, human and communication, technical) to deal with recorded information by evaluating, acquiring, preserving, sorting and ordering, and making it available. Library management, training, and preservation of library materials are highlighted. Six references are…

Possibilities of using regression techniques for predicting, evaluating, and controlling the performance of bibliographic search procedures are explored. "Least time" search sequences for bibliographic searching are determined. (Author)

This book highlights the importance of good financial and cost management in libraries and information centers to make best use of available resources, and illustrates how to maintain user services. The book applies current research and theory of financial management techniques to situations faced in libraries and information services. Eight…

This manual is intended to serve as a guide for public library directors and boards of trustees in meeting the requirements of Wisconsin's public librarian certification law which requires certification for administrators of public library systems, county libraries, county library services, and municipal public libraries. The manual contains the…

This paper discusses personnel management issues that arose when the East Berlin (Germany) Municipal Library and the West Berlin America Memorial Library united in 1995 to form the Central and State Library. The first section provides historical background on the two libraries and their merger. The second section summarizes the East-West conflict…

Training of supervisory personnel in libraries is a relatively new practice. The first year of an in-house program is described with suggestions for increasing its effectiveness. (10 references) (DH)

Presents a fictionalized version of an employment interview in which a faculty member is questioning a candidate as an element of the search process for position of director in an academic library. Unspoken thoughts and concerns are included. (EJS)

Discussion of care and planning given to the implementation of an automated library system highlights informing the staff in the early stages, project management, involvement of the entire staff, the control log, time and money, where and when to go online, and implementation consultants. (EJS)

Considers some important questions surrounding the deaccessioning of books and other materials from library collections: Should deaccessioned items be sold? How should materials for deaccessioning be selected? What are the channels for the sale of deaccessioned library materials? (JL)

Describes the benefits and drawbacks of the use of OCLC in the one-person library at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Cataloging functions, interlibrary loan, retrospective catalog conversion, dial access to online databases, and training problems are discussed. (JL)

Presents five brief papers that touch on the role of the computer center, sources of conflict, and basic incompatibilities in the relationship with the library. Also discussed are developmental operating difficulties, negotiation of continuing relationships, and the need for tolerance and mutual respect. (Author/RAA)

Details the current organization and functions of the various components of the British Library, with the exception of central administration. Included are the library board, reference division, lending division, bibliographic services division, and research and development department. (FM)